Umno’s Rizalman admits to drug arrest, maintains innocence

KUALA LUMPUR: Bandar Tun Razak Umno division chief Datuk Rizalman Mokhtar has admitted he was the Umno leader who was arrested after allegedly testing positive for drugs during a raid on a karaoke centre on Monday (April 2).

He however maintained his innocence, saying that he is not involved in drugs.

“If the reports saying that I am positive are right, I am sure it is a setup to tarnish my good name,” he said during a packed press conference at the Bandar Tun Razak Umno division headquarters on Wednesday (April 4).

His family, including his wife and children, and Barisan Nasional supporters from Bandar Tun Razak were also present to show their support.

When asked what he was doing at the karaoke centre, Rizalman said that he was just singing and having a cup of coffee.

“I hope that Umno and Barisan are not linked with the issue because it is more of a personal attack on me,” he said.

He said that he would resign from all his posts if the allegations were proven to be true in court.

Rizalman, who was speculated to be contesting the Bandar Tun Razak parliamentary seat in GE14, said that he would use all legal channels to clear his name.

When asked if he was interested in contesting the seat, Rizalman said he was very keen and that he had been consistently working hard in the area for the last 14 years.   

The Star earlier reported that an Umno division chief was detained at a karaoke joint at Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur, at around 2am on April 2 in a joint operation by police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

They were investigating an anonymous tip that the outlet was operating without a licence.

Sources said a urine test was conducted on the suspect and it came back positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

The division chief was brought to the Dang Wangi police headquarters for further action before he was later released on bail.